VAN BUREN – Fortunat “Pete” Doucette, 84, died March 20, 2008, at a Caribou hospital, after a long illness. He was born May 27, 1923, in Madawaska, the oldest son of Eddie and Lottie (Levesque) Doucette. Pete started working at an early age with his father on the farm for Parent Brothers. He also worked more than 40 years as an oil delivery truck driver and burner service technician, for Parent Brothers and Dead River Co., until his retirement in 1986. He was a former member of the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus Council 1635 of Van Buren. He was also a volunteer firefighter for Van Buren Fire Department for several years. He was well known throughout the Saint John Valley for his never-ending storytelling. Pete enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family at their camp at Van Buren Cove of Long Lake. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carmen (Marquis) Doucette; three sons, Jim Doucette and his wife, Phyllis, Bill Doucette, and Bob Doucette, all of Van Buren; two grandsons, Philip Doucette and his wife, Stephanie, of Auburn, and Thomas Doucette of South Portland; a special great-grandson, Owen Doucette of Auburn; five brothers, Norman Doucette and wife, Rachel, of Bloomfield, Conn., Vernon Doucette and wife, Ruth, of Newington, Conn., Richard Doucette and wife, Jane, of Auburn, Wilfred Doucette and wife, Ann, of Van Buren, and Alphy Doucette and wife, Cecile, of Hamlin; three sisters, Cecile Lozier of Hartford, Conn., Lillian Harper and husband, Bill, of Cape Coral, Fla., and Jeanette Peters of Lewiston; many nephews, nieces and cousins. In addition to his parents, Pete was pre-deceased by an infant son, Joseph; and by two sisters, Priscilla Murphy and Albertine Zbink. Relatives and friends may call 7-9 p.m. Sunday and noon Monday until time of service at Ouellette-Thibault Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 2 p.m. Monday at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church with Father David Cote, celebrant. Interment will be in the parish cemetery later this spring. Those who wish may contribute in his memory to St. Bruno Choir Society, care of Kathleen Beaulieu, 123 Poplar St., Van Buren, ME 04785. To leave online condolences, please visit www.ouellettefuneralhome.com.
FORTUNAT ‘PETE’ DOUCETTE
